The 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Visa in hand!! Hallelujuah! I just can't believe it. It feels like this has been the longest process ever & I'm so glad this part is over. At least we can go through AOS together!

Laura..It does seem like your packet 4 is taking a while. I got mine within 2 days from DOS saying it was sent.

But I wouldn't worry about it, phone extortion line, get email code, tell them DOS said packet 4's been sent, you haven't received it. I'm sure the Embassy will tell you what they told Moira & that you can print their email reply as an entry permit for the Embassy. Don't panic.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Well Bob, I hope you don't get questioned when you go again for the interview. I've been to Gatwick/Heathrow 9 times and was never asked more than "what is the purpose of your trip" and "how long are you staying". Stamp. Done. I always said "I'm on holiday." Good thing they never asked about money. I only carried enough to get a cappuccino when I got off the plane. I always got money from the cash machine in the terminal after arrival. A cool thing I did was sign up for IRIS when they started it. (I love gadgets and just had to try it.) With IRIS you don't have to get in the long lines or talk to anybody. You look in the machine, it reads your irises, the gate opens and gives you a paper recording your arrival, and you're off to baggage claim.

Oooh. How do you go about signing up for that? I'm just contemplating all the kinds of problems I might encounter in the US, considering my ethnic background (I hate using that term).

And in my case, because I can't really access my bank account from the US (Natwest is a poo) and they don't let you do international transfers online, I have to take out whatever's left in it and carry it on me. It's not going to be much since I've already transferred most of it over to the shared one Knight and I have, with enough to repay my student loans and so I can be fed/pay for shipping/go to Thorpe Park before I go.

Magpie.

[mrs_sdp 0]

Visa in hand!! Hallelujuah! I just can't believe it. It feels like this has been the longest process ever & I'm so glad this part is over. At least we can go through AOS together!

Laura..It does seem like your packet 4 is taking a while. I got mine within 2 days from DOS saying it was sent.

But I wouldn't worry about it, phone extortion line, get email code, tell them DOS said packet 4's been sent, you haven't received it. I'm sure the Embassy will tell you what they told Moira & that you can print their email reply as an entry permit for the Embassy. Don't panic.

Hi Laura ... I agree with MJ!! No point in panicking as I did - it was all sorted out in the end ....

Congrats MJ ... at last eh? Bet it feels amazing ....

Good luck!!

Moira x

Edited May 8, 2009 by mrs_sdp

[Gemmie 142]

I have my visa too!! I love how we interviewed and got our visas together, MJ!

The courier guy did have a bit of a pop at me for sticking a note on the door with my number. I explained I had no doorbell and couldn't miss this package, and he told me that I should get one quickly, because that cost him personal money to call me from outside... I hate that companies like FedEx and SMS give you a time such as 8am-6pm and expect someone to be there.

Oh well.. It's such a relief that the K1 is OVER. Bill has said he'll research AOS and explain it to me when I get there, because I did almost all of the K1 research/paperwork/nagging so he's giving me a break.

I can't believe how many problems people have had going through Heathrow! I always thought it was so easy to get through here as opposed to the U.S... it makes me so annoyed to think that people treat you this way, as if you're some kind of criminal, when you're openly admitting that you're visiting your family/friends/partner.

I too think it's silly that people that speak NO English are passed through without question to save the hassle.

Edited May 8, 2009 by Gemmie

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

For Bill (Gemmie)--a breakdown of the AOS documents to be sent in are in this post on p.6 of the UK AOS forum.

Maybe that will help him start his research. And here's a timeline spreadsheet so people won't have to post "how long did it take you to get your ____? (fill in the blank with NOA, biometric appt, EAD, interview date, etc.) Timeline spreadsheet Talyss helps me update it. There are links to people's profile if you click on the cell with their name.

Magpie-- you would have to sign up for IRIS in the departure lounge when leaving the UK. It's more for frequent travellers so you might not need it, as it expires. They guys weren't that strict when I signed up because it was new. I said I come a couple of times a year and they said OK. Nobody was in the little room and they looked bored. It was halfway down one of those spirals to the gates in departures at Gatwick, but I used it at Gatwick and Heathrow immigration after that. Also available at Manchester and Stansted now I think.

Here's two links http://www.tdtravelgroup.com/docs/iris.pdf and http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managing...echnology/iris/

Anybody wanting to try it, it's free and you have to be in departures, so do it when you leave for the US. I would tell them you plan to come to the UK 4 times a year to see your family so they'll consider you a "frequent" traveller.

Happy dance for the new visa deliveries today.

[MARM 7]

Yaay for finally getting the visas in hand MonkeyJuice and Gemmie!!!

[emma77 0]

Yaay for finally getting the visas in hand MonkeyJuice and Gemmie!!!

Congrats too girls for getting the visa Hope I can write the same soon!!!

[Bob and Patricia 0]

bob, was it a little room off to the left-hand side of the immigration checkpoint with a water cooler?

Yes thats the place! I'm surprised you didn't get your camera seized. Most of those black signs with white letters that you see on the walls... "No cameras or mobile phones in this area."

I had no idea my story would generate so much comment... when it all started as a comment itself. When I fly back for the interview all I'm claiming is that that I'm there on holiday to visit a friend I've know for 3 years. I'm sure my passport has been electrically flagged somewhere and I'll have yet another story to tell.

Bob

[MARM 7]

January 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Jason&Sarah, Hannah+Vito, Mrssmith, ShannonNick, adrianandlinsay, Marmite Lovers!

February 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Rob&Dawn, Zoe and Hal, Terri and Seb, Talyss, TeeKol,

March 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Stinky Monkey, skparker, Laurence+Lauren, pothergavel, paumanda, texpat cymru, obbynox, jhonscotland, Caminic, Furious Biscuit, ahlpo, jojo_gee

April 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
DairyFarmer, skeez&titanic, SwanTiger, miss g, LondonLad, niniel71, mr and mrs, Stinkerpotsam, Marty J, prima and jay, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK

May 2009 Interviews
1st May 2009.....Graziumphry..................K-1
1st May 2009.....gary e83........................K-1
1st May 2009.....emma77........................K-1
5th May 2009.....Monkey Juice.................K-1
5th May 2009.....Gemmie........................K-1
12th May 2009....MARM...........................K-1
12th May 2009....mrs_sdp.......................K-1
15th May 2009....H&V..............................K-1
19th May 2009....laura819........................K-1
22nd May 2009...PB&JAM.........................K-1

Still waiting for approval
stevi1123..........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation
Marie620..........12th January 2009 - Denied
Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?
The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?
Alixhilary..........27th April 2009- Approved pending additional documentation
Colinjess..........27th April 2009- Approved pending medical results

= APPROVED

Updates/New entries/changes highlighted in blue - will go to normal color in the next update.

Please let us know if you have an Interview Date to add to the list, updated information or corrections.

^^^Just bumped the interview list to view upcoming interviews.
For right now, it looks like my fiance will interview on May 12. DOS says May 12 is still his interview date, we are waiting on an email from the embassy confirming this and explaining what to do because he does not have his passport yet.

[Nik+Heather 121]

A cool thing I did was sign up for IRIS when they started it. (I love gadgets and just had to try it.) With IRIS you don't have to get in the long lines or talk to anybody. You look in the machine, it reads your irises, the gate opens and gives you a paper recording your arrival, and you're off to baggage claim.

Thought I'd check that out with your later links, but it just doesn't look like it will work for me.

Visa in hand!! Hallelujuah!

YAAAY!!

And in my case, because I can't really access my bank account from the US (Natwest is a poo) and they don't let you do international transfers online, I have to take out whatever's left in it and carry it on me. It's not going to be much since I've already transferred most of it over to the shared one Knight and I have, with enough to repay my student loans and so I can be fed/pay for shipping/go to Thorpe Park before I go.

Magpie.

Nik has learned this about Natwest the hard way....at least we were together and I was able to get the cash to pay for our room for a couple of nights while we were on vacation!! On the other hand, my card doesn't seem to have much of a "fraud alert" on it...hundreds of dollars removed several times in another state, and not a whisper from the bank!!!!

I have my visa too!! I love how we interviewed and got our visas together, MJ!

Oh well.. It's such a relief that the K1 is OVER. Bill has said he'll research AOS and explain it to me when I get there, because I did almost all of the K1 research/paperwork/nagging so he's giving me a break.

Yay for the visa!!

I wish I could just sit back and watch AOS, but I'm a little too nit picky, I think...but maybe my attitudes will change once Nik is here, not quite the same motivation to obsess when I can spend my time actually WITH him.

[laura819 0]

Visa in hand!! Hallelujuah! I just can't believe it. It feels like this has been the longest process ever & I'm so glad this part is over. At least we can go through AOS together!

Laura..It does seem like your packet 4 is taking a while. I got mine within 2 days from DOS saying it was sent.

But I wouldn't worry about it, phone extortion line, get email code, tell them DOS said packet 4's been sent, you haven't received it. I'm sure the Embassy will tell you what they told Moira & that you can print their email reply as an entry permit for the Embassy. Don't panic.

Hi Laura ... I agree with MJ!! No point in panicking as I did - it was all sorted out in the end ....

Congrats MJ ... at last eh? Bet it feels amazing ....

Good luck!!

Moira x

Moira, did you end up getting Packet 4 in the mail, or will you just use the email they sent you? Sven is going to call on Monday if we haven't received the letter by then..

[Gemmie 142]

For Bill (Gemmie)--a breakdown of the AOS documents to be sent in are in this post on p.6 of the UK AOS forum.

Maybe that will help him start his research. And here's a timeline spreadsheet so people won't have to post "how long did it take you to get your ____? (fill in the blank with NOA, biometric appt, EAD, interview date, etc.) Timeline spreadsheet Talyss helps me update it. There are links to people's profile if you click on the cell with their name.

Both links appear to be the same? I found it though and am sending both to Bill ASAP. I can't help reading through myself though.. it's good to know what the process is going to be like.

Thank you soooo much. You are a life saver. You were also the one to send me packet 3 so that I could get everything filled out in advance.

[Bob and Patricia 0]

January 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Jason&Sarah, Hannah+Vito, Mrssmith, ShannonNick, adrianandlinsay, Marmite Lovers!

February 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Rob&Dawn, Zoe and Hal, Terri and Seb, Talyss, TeeKol,

March 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Stinky Monkey, skparker, Laurence+Lauren, pothergavel, paumanda, texpat cymru, obbynox, jhonscotland, Caminic, Furious Biscuit, ahlpo, jojo_gee

April 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

DairyFarmer, skeez&titanic, SwanTiger, miss g, LondonLad, niniel71, mr and mrs, Stinkerpotsam, Marty J, prima and jay, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK

May 2009 Interviews

1st May 2009.....Graziumphry..................K-1

1st May 2009.....gary e83........................K-1

1st May 2009.....emma77........................K-1

5th May 2009.....Monkey Juice.................K-1

5th May 2009.....Gemmie........................K-1

12th May 2009....MARM...........................K-1

12th May 2009....mrs_sdp.......................K-1

15th May 2009....H&V..............................K-1

19th May 2009....laura819........................K-1

22nd May 2009...PB&JAM.........................K-1

Still waiting for approval

stevi1123..........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation

Marie620..........12th January 2009 - Denied

Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?

The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?

Alixhilary..........27th April 2009- Approved pending additional documentation

Colinjess..........27th April 2009- Approved pending medical results

= APPROVED

Updates/New entries/changes highlighted in blue - will go to normal color in the next update.

Please let us know if you have an Interview Date to add to the list, updated information or corrections.

^^^Just bumped the interview list to view upcoming interviews.

For right now, it looks like my fiance will interview on May 12. DOS says May 12 is still his interview date, we are waiting on an email from the embassy confirming this and explaining what to do because he does not have his passport yet.

Poke Pat and I into the list for 29th May 2009 at 09:00 YES! :dance:

[MARM 7]

January 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Jason&Sarah, Hannah+Vito, Mrssmith, ShannonNick, adrianandlinsay, Marmite Lovers!

February 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Rob&Dawn, Zoe and Hal, Terri and Seb, Talyss, TeeKol,

March 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Stinky Monkey, skparker, Laurence+Lauren, pothergavel, paumanda, texpat cymru, obbynox, jhonscotland, Caminic, Furious Biscuit, ahlpo, jojo_gee

April 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
DairyFarmer, skeez&titanic, SwanTiger, miss g, LondonLad, niniel71, mr and mrs, Stinkerpotsam, Marty J, prima and jay, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK

May 2009 Interviews
1st May 2009.....Graziumphry..................K-1
1st May 2009.....gary e83........................K-1
1st May 2009.....emma77........................K-1
5th May 2009.....Monkey Juice.................K-1
5th May 2009.....Gemmie........................K-1
12th May 2009....MARM...........................K-1
12th May 2009....mrs_sdp.......................K-1
15th May 2009....H&V..............................K-1
19th May 2009....laura819........................K-1
22nd May 2009...PB&JAM.........................K-1
29th May 2009....Bob and Patricia.............K-1

Still waiting for approval
stevi1123..........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation
Marie620..........12th January 2009 - Denied
Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?
The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?
Alixhilary..........27th April 2009- Approved pending additional documentation
Colinjess..........27th April 2009- Approved pending medical results

= APPROVED

Updates/New entries/changes highlighted in blue - will go to normal color in the next update.

Please let us know if you have an Interview Date to add to the list, updated information or corrections.

[mrs_sdp 0]

Visa in hand!! Hallelujuah! I just can't believe it. It feels like this has been the longest process ever & I'm so glad this part is over. At least we can go through AOS together!

Laura..It does seem like your packet 4 is taking a while. I got mine within 2 days from DOS saying it was sent.

But I wouldn't worry about it, phone extortion line, get email code, tell them DOS said packet 4's been sent, you haven't received it. I'm sure the Embassy will tell you what they told Moira & that you can print their email reply as an entry permit for the Embassy. Don't panic.

Hi Laura ... I agree with MJ!! No point in panicking as I did - it was all sorted out in the end ....

Congrats MJ ... at last eh? Bet it feels amazing ....

Good luck!!

Moira x

Moira, did you end up getting Packet 4 in the mail, or will you just use the email they sent you? Sven is going to call on Monday if we haven't received the letter by then..

Hi Laura ...

Nope .. never did get it. I thank God every day that I phoned the DOS .. otherwise I wouldn't have known about my interview ...

I've printed out the email they sent me ... I'll be using that ... unless the letter comes before I leave Scotland on Monday!

Moira x